Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-24
ny POST AND ny EXPRESS.
Letter Carriers md Expressmen Loaded
Down with ChrSstmas,

The people 2t the city pOst-ofnce know that
Christmas Is near They have been taking in pack
ages and handing out packages at such q rate that
they have reason to be thankful that the holiday
only comes once year. The carriers when they
start out on their rounds are loaded down to the
gunwales, as 1t were, and as they stagger through
the city they distribute q good deal OF JOY. The
carriers In other cities and the postmasters in
places too small for the free-delivery system are
dispensing throughout their respective placesla
Instruments OF Christmas cheer which originated
r1ghehere In Washington. The home folks are not
Forgotten, ana remembranceS OF all kinds are sent
by brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers TO
loved ones from whom they are separated. All
These packages have TO be stamped and In order TO
relieve the pressure ut the stamp windows In the
post-omce clerk has been stationed in the corri-
dor, who weighs every package and marks on
this way the great crowds asS that a tSronged
the post-ofnce during the past few days
hays See1 q rapidly To-Day
ofiice at least as lar as the receipt Of matter YVES
concerned. There was no let up, however, in the
try. The great sacks were piled up and the entire
carrier service was busily engaged In asserting
and distributing it. The pressure will no!
that Christmas has come to everybody,
ana those who may be overlooked
a able az q tses are ey
0nd-hand way. 1t should not be forgotten That
the Christmas time brings a rush OF business TO
nAOhSy -otuCI OhCc duu EiIkc dLuOuulS are Scut
u friends In other places to gladden. the holiday
season. The pOst-offce officials give statistics
showing a great increase in the business OF the
ONCE as compared with last year. There is per-
maps not as great number OF packages sent out,
owing 10 the confusion or ideas about the enect OF
he Department regulations In regard to what
may or may not be written on the outside OF
package.
THE EXPRESS OFFICES.
But this only serves to increase the business Of
thc express companies. At these offices some idea
can be obtained or the vast proportions which the
holiday business has reached. Yesterday and the
day before the people were packed In before the
counters three and four deep, aud the cleras flew
ABOUT so Dusily that they were Obliged to work in
tier shirt sleeves with the doors wide open. What
Is done with all the packages thai coine in Is u
mystery, but that they all get Off and reacn their
destination Is settled fact. The great wagons,
That look as II they could mold all the presents that
santa Claus keeps I'm his stOre-nOuse, ny from the
Offices 10 the railroad depOts. The IoDg train OF
and gradually the mass OF matter that
Is poured into the Offices Is distributed throughout
the country. But now the Christmas tide turns,
and the Packages begin 10 arrive In this city.
Extra Wagons are employed, extra men are pro-
cured the wagons roll heavily along the streets,
stopping at TINS house and then at that house.
line work goes on all day and far into the night.
lhe door bells Jingle there Is sensation In many
household, and before Christmas day comes 10 Il
are tired, but Christmas is over and the rush sub
SIDES ExpressInen and pOst-offce employees tnen
DeSln 10 enjoy their Christmas, for They nave
earned II, and the pubic leel grateful that they
have performed their respective duties so well and
with such prompLness.